Motion La City: a groundbreaking suspension for city bikes

Suspension on an axle, the Motion La City is based on a lightweight French patented technology with lower maintenance for urban bikes.

The bicycle is going through a crazy transition era, especially around electric assist models. Nevertheless, all cycling components are being rethinked. We saw this with the hubless and rimless wheel on the Reevo, and even the suspension challenges engineers.

Motion La City, a French creation

A French company, Motion Engineering, has redesigned this essential bike component. Unveiled in 2017, the system has evolved and now presents its new version five years later.

With a single arm connecting to the front wheel, the « La City » suspension gives an odd asymmetry at first glance. It resembles the Cannondale Lefty, but the comparison ends here. The principle is based on moving parts and a drawn leaf spring.

Allowing a travel of 40 mm, it relies on the « Torque Link » patent, managing braking torque and thus preventing diving. Specifically, the suspension operates independently of braking and based on the rider’s weight.

Less weight and maintenance

Motion Engineering assures that it provides « significant gains in mass, reliability, production cost, and integration ». Compared to a traditional telescopic fork, the « La City » suspension weighs 1 kg and also requires no maintenance.

The company has installed this « La City » suspension on an electric assist bike, powered by French supplier Valeo. The company also demonstrates its benefits in video, showing how it absorbs most shocks when bouncing on a wooden plank, where a standard system bounces much more. The system is said to adapt to users from 50 to 120 kg.

Motion Engineering has not announced the price or partnership details for its creation. Deliveries, however, are set to begin in September 2022, and La City could be used on cargo bikes, and even scooters. They are also working on other suspensions, such as an anti-dive system with a drawn leaf spring but with an atmospheric shock absorber for mountain bikes « E18 ». Another model is called « Evo » with hydraulic stops and high-frequency piston filtering.

An other original Icelandic suspension

The French company is not the only one to rethink suspension. Icelandic Benedikt Skulason has created the Lauf Carbonara, with a carbon fork capable of absorbing up to 120 kg, using six fiberglass lamellas. Again, the goal was a long lifespan, here of 170,000 cycles, with a progressive and well-functioning system even in extreme temperatures.

However, its cost is high at 840 euros, targeting mountain bikes and gravel bikes for enthusiasts. Lauf also includes its sister suspension Grit on their own non-electric bikes, the True Grit, starting at 2,520 euros.

Also read: Urtopia: the affordable carbon electric bike